Bessemer murder case in court

December 6, 2012

BESSEMER - The court case of a Bessemer man accused of killing his wife last summer is scheduled for a final pretrial conference next month in Gogebic County Circuit Court. A plea or trial date will be set.

Kenneth Wayne Peters, 50, was arrested in August in connection with the disappearance and death of his wife, Ethel Grzena/Peters, 79. After being reported missing on Aug. 3, her remains were found on Aug. 13. Peters was arrested on murder charges and remains lodged in Gogebic County Jail without bond.

During an all-purpose motions hearing on Tuesday, the court denied a motion from Peters' attorney to "quash" or void the case. The court also denied motions for medical treatment or access to a law library.

The judge granted a motion for the defendant to have a court-appointed investigator to interview witnesses, said a court spokesperson.

Peters is charged with first-degree murder/multiple theories which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole; second-degree murder which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison; and second-degree abuse of a vulnerable adult, a four-year felony.

A final pretrial conference is scheduled for Jan. 18 to determine if the case will go to trial or be resolved with a plea.